MANILA, Philippines — At 41, award-winning writer Luis Katigbak has passed away.
A post by the official account of Young STAR, where Katigbak works as a columnist, has announced his passing. No details on the cause of his death has been publicly disclosed as of press time.
In loving memory of one of Young STAR's columnists, @luiskatigbak.https://t.co/I6bI9BCgEO pic.twitter.com/BPectvFhHl
— Young STAR (@YoungStarPhils) April 20, 2016
In a STAR report, it was mentioned Luis has been hospitalized since December 2015 for complications from diabetes. His last social media engagement was on December 18.
Does anybody really know what time it is?
— Luis Katigbak (@luiskatigbak) December 18, 2015
Just about a week ago, writer Sarge Lacuesta posted on his Facebook page that Luis has had an extensive stroke from which recovery was virtually impossible.
Luis, aside from being a columnist for the STAR, is also a writer and critic for Pulp and Esquire Philippines. With his riveting features, he is considered as one of the country's most brilliant, prominent and indelible writers.
He is also an author of short stories. His second collection, "Dear Distance," has just been published in March, following the success of his first collection titled "Happy Endings." The latter has been printed multiple times due to the readers' demand.
In his lifetime, he has been awarded with four Palanca Awards, a Philippine Graphic prize, and a Young Artists’ Grant from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. — Alixandra Caole Vila
READ: STAR writer and Palanca awardee Luis Katigbak releases new story collection